Chase leads to crash, arrest near Benicia
(Photo courtesy California Highway Patrol)
The California Highway Patrol had a busy Christmas Day after a man allegedly led officers on a high-speed pursuit through several Solano County communities.
Around 3:30 p.m., officers received a “be on the lookout” report for a black Audi that was driving recklessly along Interstate 80 near Vacaville. CHP officers spotted the car driving along the east-bound lanes of the freeway and attempted to make an enforcement stop near Leisure Town Road, the CHP said.
Instead of pulling over, the driver hit the gas, with the car’s speed reaching 120 miles per hour at one point, officials said.
Officers canceled the pursuit after the driver turned off the freeway at West Texas Street in Fairfield.
A short time later, the CHP began receiving numerous emergency calls from eyewitnesses who saw a black Audi flee from the scene of a crash involving a pick-up truck along south-bound Interstate 680. An eyewitness trailed the suspect’s car until it became disabled around Lake Herman Road in Benicia.
Officers quickly caught up to the vehicle and took the suspect into custody. Jail booking logs reviewed by Solano News Update showed Terrence Lee Phillips, 20, was charged with driving without a license, hit-and-run, evading police officers and having a concealed carry firearm in his car.
Prior to the CHP arriving on the scene, officers said Phillips attempted to get a ride from a bystander and later tossed a firearm and a large amount of cash into a bystander’s vehicle.
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